Kamparoo or Tentrax?
- Thread starter T- Bone
- Start date
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
Tentrax has a small volume for storage and it's divided between 3 difficult spaces, 2 of them are difficult to pack. It also uses a torsion flex axle (independent rubber torsion) see http://www.adventuretrailers.com/suspension.html. The lid opens out over the tongue making access to anything stored there difficult.
Kamperoo has easy set up and small volume for storage. It uses a slipper spring. The fit and finish could be better.
If you are going to do any amount of washboard my thought would be to stay away from a torsion flex axle.
The tent set up on the Kamperoo is larger and the material much more heavy duty.
On a more subjective angle, in our 25 years of marriage I have learnt to pay close attention to what my wife says.
Kamperoo has easy set up and small volume for storage. It uses a slipper spring. The fit and finish could be better.
If you are going to do any amount of washboard my thought would be to stay away from a torsion flex axle.
The tent set up on the Kamperoo is larger and the material much more heavy duty.
On a more subjective angle, in our 25 years of marriage I have learnt to pay close attention to what my wife says.
When I was in the market for a trailer, I looked at the Tentrax and the AT Chaser, what really made up my mind, someone said,
"the Tentrax was like an overnight bag", and the "Chaser was like a Suitcase".
I went with the Chaser and have never looked back. I think the Campa, will probably serve you better in the long run.
"the Tentrax was like an overnight bag", and the "Chaser was like a Suitcase".
I went with the Chaser and have never looked back. I think the Campa, will probably serve you better in the long run.
My opinion, and I don't have either, is size (width, length, layout) comparison. Like it cozy, small, tightly enclosed, camping gear loose (kitchen, awning, wind protectors). Or cozy, with a little breathing room, stand space, easy access to storage once setup, camping gear attached, capability of attached screening and awning.
Just imagine what you have to do to setup, crawl in to go to bed, change clothing, bad weather protection, stowage locations of basic camping gear and easy of access.
Can you pull either with toter? Weight a consideration? Stepping up from ground tents?
Just imagine what you have to do to setup, crawl in to go to bed, change clothing, bad weather protection, stowage locations of basic camping gear and easy of access.
Can you pull either with toter? Weight a consideration? Stepping up from ground tents?
24HOURSOFNEVADA
Expedition Leader
I started out with a Tentrax and went to a Chaser from Adventure Trailers. When I bought my Tentrax, AT had not released the Chaser. I couldn't afford the Horizon, so I bought a Tentrax.
Well, I paid twice. I was so displeased with the Tentrax, that I sold it for almost a 50% loss (Was happy to get that price) and bought a Chaser. It just goes to prove the saying "Poor people can't afford to buy cheap stuff." Buy the best you can the first time around and it will last.
If you add up both purchases, I could have easily paid for a very nicely equipped Horizon, that I would still have today.
For the naysayers out there, I used the Tentrax to it's fullest and was still left wanting. If you look at the Tentrax picture gallery, that is my Yellow Unlimited pulling the Tentrax over the Rubicon.
One of my biggest complaints was the Torflex axle. I got really tired of broken glass items inside the trailer. Every trip I went on, something would break inside the trailer. It got to the point where you really had to pack the breakables inside your tow vehicle and when that is a jeep TJ (Pre-Unlimited) there's not a lot of room to begin with. Especially when you add a wife, girlfriend, mistress and your son (Just seeing if anyone actually reads my rants).
The second reason was when you added a special friend along with your son you ran out of room really quick. Sleeping was ok when he was four and younger, but we had to sleep with his head to our feet (kids don't sleep still).
I'd recommend a search on the trailers and probably go with whatever momma wants, because if "Momma ain't happy, nobody is."
Good luck and have fun.
Well, I paid twice. I was so displeased with the Tentrax, that I sold it for almost a 50% loss (Was happy to get that price) and bought a Chaser. It just goes to prove the saying "Poor people can't afford to buy cheap stuff." Buy the best you can the first time around and it will last.
If you add up both purchases, I could have easily paid for a very nicely equipped Horizon, that I would still have today.
For the naysayers out there, I used the Tentrax to it's fullest and was still left wanting. If you look at the Tentrax picture gallery, that is my Yellow Unlimited pulling the Tentrax over the Rubicon.
One of my biggest complaints was the Torflex axle. I got really tired of broken glass items inside the trailer. Every trip I went on, something would break inside the trailer. It got to the point where you really had to pack the breakables inside your tow vehicle and when that is a jeep TJ (Pre-Unlimited) there's not a lot of room to begin with. Especially when you add a wife, girlfriend, mistress and your son (Just seeing if anyone actually reads my rants).
The second reason was when you added a special friend along with your son you ran out of room really quick. Sleeping was ok when he was four and younger, but we had to sleep with his head to our feet (kids don't sleep still).
I'd recommend a search on the trailers and probably go with whatever momma wants, because if "Momma ain't happy, nobody is."
Good luck and have fun.
JIMBO
Expedition Leader
:safari-rig: Like Martyn says, listen to your wife
I've used my TENTRAX 4 times this summer for a total of 2900 miles and by controlling tire air pressure, on freeways and off-road-I'VE NEVER BROKEN ANYTHING
I Don't use the RTT attachment with mine, because we have an Xterra "hatch tent", so ALL my camping gear goes into it and fully loaded it's 1100 lbs, lower airpressure controlls the washboard action, although Martyn's correct about the TORFLEX AXLES, TENTRAX uses DEXTERAXLE
AT trailers are probably about the best you can get, but each trailer has a purpose and for me-the TENTRAX is perfect
It has 15 " ground clearance and my X has a little over 10 ", my wife and I camp to fish and fish to camp
The TENTRAX doesn't require electric brakes and I have no problem with stars and stops ,with my, 6sp MT
Like any mechanical unit you buy, you have to make your OWN improvements and I have made a lot, with my TENTRAX, but I'm very happy withit
:REOutIceFishing: JIMBO
I've used my TENTRAX 4 times this summer for a total of 2900 miles and by controlling tire air pressure, on freeways and off-road-I'VE NEVER BROKEN ANYTHING
I Don't use the RTT attachment with mine, because we have an Xterra "hatch tent", so ALL my camping gear goes into it and fully loaded it's 1100 lbs, lower airpressure controlls the washboard action, although Martyn's correct about the TORFLEX AXLES, TENTRAX uses DEXTERAXLE
AT trailers are probably about the best you can get, but each trailer has a purpose and for me-the TENTRAX is perfect
It has 15 " ground clearance and my X has a little over 10 ", my wife and I camp to fish and fish to camp
If I wanted a real Explorer trailer, my order would be with Adventure Trailers, a full circle of quality and satisfaction
The TENTRAX doesn't require electric brakes and I have no problem with stars and stops ,with my, 6sp MT
Like any mechanical unit you buy, you have to make your OWN improvements and I have made a lot, with my TENTRAX, but I'm very happy withit
:REOutIceFishing: JIMBO
Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
You can spec out a Maggiolina tent www.autohomeus.com, no problem fitting it to our roof rack.
spressomon
Expedition Leader
You don't state where and how you will put a trailer to use.
I'd go with the Kamparoo. I followed friends of ours (Alia176 here on Exped Portal...PM him for all the info you need to support your decision!) up Lippencott Mine road (Death Valley) and all over inside/outside DV and I have to say I was very impressed with how stable it was. Certainly being very light helps it but it went where ever they're 80-series went without complaint. And even at speed down twisty turny washboard roads!
You and your wife both will appreciate the sleeping room, no ladder access to the bed, nice sitting area to get out of the elements (and/or a spot to layout a couple sleeping pads/bags for 2-kids), quick set-up, etc. All of the choices we have today for off-road trailers have a list of negatives (hopefully AT will shorten this list with the release of their upcoming ateroo). The downside to the Kamparoo IMO: Even though the tent appears to be super stout the lower box doesn't seem tough built to survive thousands upon thousands of miles of gnarly trails without retightening screws, etc.; limited cargo space.
I'd go with the Kamparoo. I followed friends of ours (Alia176 here on Exped Portal...PM him for all the info you need to support your decision!) up Lippencott Mine road (Death Valley) and all over inside/outside DV and I have to say I was very impressed with how stable it was. Certainly being very light helps it but it went where ever they're 80-series went without complaint. And even at speed down twisty turny washboard roads!
You and your wife both will appreciate the sleeping room, no ladder access to the bed, nice sitting area to get out of the elements (and/or a spot to layout a couple sleeping pads/bags for 2-kids), quick set-up, etc. All of the choices we have today for off-road trailers have a list of negatives (hopefully AT will shorten this list with the release of their upcoming ateroo). The downside to the Kamparoo IMO: Even though the tent appears to be super stout the lower box doesn't seem tough built to survive thousands upon thousands of miles of gnarly trails without retightening screws, etc.; limited cargo space.
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Martyn
Supporting Sponsor, Overland Certified OC0018
T- Bone said:
They are manufactured in Italy with a distribution network through Europe http://www.autohome.it/
i am building a trailer now but if i had to buy one id go with the kamparoo (or any "clamshell" design. my thoughts are, if it rains which would you rather spend time in, or could spend time in. the tentrax seems ok for lite duty but do you really need " just a little more room for more stuff" or comfort when out there for a few days.